The Broadcasting Services Amendment Act was published on 23.05.25 and came into effect with the publication of Statutory Instrument 73 of 2025 on 15.07.25. It has always been mandatory to pay a listener’s license for a car radio; however, the legislation now places the onus on the vehicle owner to prove that his/her vehicle is not fitted with a radio before being allowed to renew the vehicle insurance and licence.
Update: ZBC and ZINARA Radio Exemptions (30.09.25)
On 04.08.25 the Road Users Association Zimbabwe presented a letter to ZBC, copied to ZINARA, CVR and their respective government ministries. The letter lists motorists’ concerns, specifying the remedies to address these. The letter was written and distributed with the kind assistance of Wintertons (Legal practitioners, attorneys).
Since receipt of the letter, ZBC has made positive and prompt progress on important issues – for which we are grateful. However, there are still matters which place a significant burden on motorists and it was necessary for Wintertons to issue a follow up letter, distributed to ZBC and others on 17.09.25. Read the latest letter here R.U.A. Follow up Letter of Appeal ZBC & Others Sep-25
Here is a summary of where things stand at the end of September 2025:
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)
Validity of exemptions:
While exemptions can now be issued for up to 12 months, the current system only issues the exemption from the date of application. This means that motorists who apply early — before their current vehicle licence expires — are issued an exemption certificate that is useful for only 11 months instead of the full 12, effectively for 2 terms and not 3. To align with ZINARA’s vehicle licensing cycle, exemption periods should have the option to start on the first day of the following month.
For now and if feasible, wait until the first day of the 12-month period you require an exemption for, e.g. on 1 November for an exemption to 31 October. (If you apply during October, the exemption will be valid to 30 September, so one month short of the required 12-month period).
This critical failure on ZBC’s and ZINARA’s platforms is causing motorists a great deal of inconvenience and anxiety and should be resolved with great urgency.
Areas without ZBC offices:
Vehicle owners from remote areas are currently compelled to travel long distances to ZBC processing centres, e.g. Kariba to Chinhoyi, Binga to Victoria Falls, etc. ZBC Head Office at Pockets Hill advises that a number of new ZBC sites will be operational by January 2026. For the current list of active ZBC processing points and the proposed new sites, see ZBC Processing Points and Proposed New Sites – September 2025
We look forward to ZBC fulfilling their responsibility to make ZBC licensing services readily accessible to all vehicle owners, across Zimbabwe – without delay
Lack of priority and facilities for senior citizens:
Whilst Pocket Hill’s service has greatly improved, senior citizens are still not being prioritised. The car park is a fair distance from the office complex and the current process requires the senior motorist to make 2 trips (walking!) between the car park and offices.
(Note that ZBC licensing staff are verifying documents in-office and certification by a Commissioner of Oaths is no longer required. However, we can assist ZBC staff save time by printing photocopies of vehicle documents, etc., before visiting).
Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA)
Consistency with ZINARA Motor Vehicle Licence Exemptions: Not yet addressed. The excerpt from RUA’s letter “As reiterated in our letter dated 1 August 2025, our client proposes that vehicles already exempted by ZINARA from motor vehicle licensing should automatically qualify for ZBC licence exemptions. This would eliminate duplicate processes and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, easing the burden on vehicle owners.
In the meantime, vehicle owners are collecting ZBC licensing officers from their nearest ZBC office for on-site inspection of the vehicles. This is also working for owners of truck and bus fleets.
Central Vehicle Registry (CVR)
Classification of motorcycles and trailers: Thankfully, ZBC’s and ZINARA’s system now automatically exempts tractors, trailers and motorcycles from mandatory ZBC car radio licensing.
The Exemption Process
The following describes the exemption process if your vehicle is NOT fitted with a radio and is based on our early understanding. If your own experience differs, kindly share to email sean@bigsky.co.zw.
Note the exemption only applies when renewing motor vehicle licences, i.e. if your vehicle does not have a radio fitted and is currently licensed, there is no need to apply for an exemption at this time.
- Complete the exemption Declaration Form (unchanged from the version published with the amendment act on 23.05.25). Download a copy here: ZBC Car Radio Exemption Declaration
Note the Declaration Form does not require to be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths. ZBC will certify the documents in-office.
- Other documents required are a) a copy of the vehicle registration certificate and b) copy ID of the vehicle owner (or company registration certificate where applicable).(If you have the old style registration book, copy both sides).
- Take your vehicle with the above documents to a ZBC office, e.g. Pocket’s Hill, Southerton, etc. (For motorcycles and trailers, only the documents are required).
- The ZBC office is required to take on the exemption into the ‘system” and when done, will reflect on the cover note system at your insurer
- Expect to be issued with a printed certificate titled “ZBC – Confirmation of Application for Exemption for Radio/TV Licensing”. Check the exemption end date before leaving …
Some Useful Notes ...
- It is NOT a legal requirement to carry or present a ZBC car radio exemption certificate at ZRP/ZBC checkpoints.
- There is no charge for the exemption process and the ZBC listener’s licence fee has not changed.
- The Listener’s Licence Concession for pensioners (65+ years) applies to radio and television for home use only, not for car radios.
- Whether or not the car radio is working, if a vehicle is fitted with a radio the owner is liable to pay the fee. (A radio antenna is not a “listening device”, and no fee is payable).
- Two-way radios are subject to licensing by another authority and have nothing to do with ZBC.
- A broadcasting listeners license applies to a “fitted listening device”. MP3’s, CD’s or any Bluetooth devices that cannot receive a radio signal, are excluded from this requirement.
Big Sky's Advice to Motorists
- This is a good time to regularise the ownership details of your vehicle/s. The declaration form referred to above includes this “I am the registered owner of a motor vehicle being ______”. This development, combined with the digital centralisation of the vehicle register, is another incentive to get your vehicle/s into your own name.
- The removal of unwanted car radios will still require the owner to go through the exemption process however you will not be paying for an unwanted service. Any decent audio equipment fitment centre or auto-electrician can assist.
- For senior citizens in and around Harare, we recommend Audiocity on King George Road, Avondale (close to the police station). Senior citizens will not be charged to have the car radio removed – there is just a nominal charge of $5 for the storage pocket (which is inserted into the cavity left by the radio removal).
Safe journeys,
Sean Q. and the Big Sky Team
The Big Sky Guide to Mastering the Traffic Jungle
30.09.25
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9 Responses
Thank you so much! Do you know if we have to go to the zbc offices to get the exemption officially signed?
You’re most welcome, Bianca. The exemption process has not yet been explained to the public, so we’re very much in the dark. However, until the SI is published this is a non-issue. Other than following the advice we provide in our blog.
Kind regards,
Sean Q.
Can exemption papers be delivered and collected by a third party on behalf of a private car owner ?
Hello Richard,
We’re not aware of any a restriction on third parties. Provided the necessary documents are presented, ZBC should accept and process the application.
Regards,
Sean Q.
Besides ZBC Pockets hill, are there any other ZBC Centers in Harare for the exemption processing e.g. Mbare Studios -are they issuing the exemptions?
Hello Desmond,
As far as we know ZBC has not published a list of ZBC offices processing car radio exemptions. The best we can suggest at this time is contact the office most convenient to you, directly. Please feel free to share any information that will b useful to other applicants.
Thanks and regards,
Sean Q.
Published on Facebook group DearZRP on 13.08.25:
Car Radio Exemption
Stage One: went to Audio City by Avondale Police Station for them to totally remove radio. Took them less than 10 minutes to remove and install a neat and tidy box as another shelf etc.
Stage Two: went to ZBC with duplicate registration book (if you have one of the old registration books make sure you copy both sides), copy of I.D. and certified original declaration form.
Went into reception and was directed to the relevant office.
Was immediately greeted and asked how they could help.
Explained radio exemption and a gentleman then came to car to check I did not have a radio and signed the declaration form as such.
Back to office where they got to work on my application (nice seats are available) and 10 minutes later received my form that I had no radio / TV fitted.
Valid until 31st July 2026.
Asked what was next expecting this form was to be taken to another office and more paperwork etc., and they said go have a nice day and if any issues at road blocks or licensing car just show them the form.
Total Time approx 20 minutes.
Whilst totally disagreeing with this entire directive from the upper echelons I was pleasantly surprised by how hassle free the entire process was apart from the actual drive to these places and the encounters with the lunatics / idiots that inhabit our roads.
Are they still only issuing letters one month short? We always renew our vehicles for a year and this is an unreasonable inconvenience they are seeking to impose – especailly as Bulawayo office takes so long. Has Wintertons had a reply and have they gone back to the relevant parties if there hasn’t been progress.
Hello Rob,
To your first question, yes. As stated in our blog: “However, exemptions are being issued 1 month short of a full term, e.g. 3 months, not 4 months and 11 months, not 12 months. This results in the exemption being useless for at least 1 term. Is this a system glitch?”
Re Wintertons’ letter, we acknowledge ZBC Pocket Hill’s prompt action on service related issues and extending exemptions to 1 year. The rest of the matters are still work in progress.